Grading the Alec Pierce extension as the Colts lock up their most important offensive weapon for Daniel Jones
Colts keep the projected top free agent WR Alec Pierce home in Indianapolis with a massive contract extension.
The Indianapolis Colts had to sweat it out, but they ultimately landed their top priority ahead of the NFL’s legal tampering window. The team inked star wide receiver Alec Pierce to a massive contract extension, according to Colts legend Pat McAfee.
The team is inking Pierce to a contract that would be the largest free-agent contract handed out to a free-agent WR in NFL history, at four years and $116 million. Now that the Colts got the deal across the finish line, let’s dive into whether this was the right move for Indy.
Grading the Colts extension with Alec Pierce
Grade: A
People will call this an overpay, and I get it. Pierce has only had one 1,000-yard season in his career, and it came last year. But the reality is that for Daniel Jones to be successful in Indianapolis, he was a must-have signing.
Jones’ deep ball was a major weakness for the team this past year. Pierce’s ability to win 50/50 valls on underthrown passes helped to hide that weakness as much as possible. Without him in the fold, I honestly don’t think Jones would be a viable QB option for the Colts for next season and going forward.
Sometimes you have to “overpay” to keep good players from leaving in free agency. The Colts did what had to be done, and, in my opinion, it was a necessity. For that reason, giving it anything lower than an A wouldn’t include all the needed context of the Colts’ situation. Now that this deal is done, though, what are the Colts’ next steps?
What does this mean for the Colts going forward?
Step one will be getting a deal done with Jones, which multiple reports have already indicated is close to being finalized between both sides. After that deal is done, the next step will be making a tough decision in the wide receiver room on Michael Pittman Jr.’s future with the team.
A future that the team has already made a decision on by trading Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a late-round pick swap. A fan favorite player during his time here, but the Colts felt like they had to get off his $29 million cap hit for 2026, and this gets most of it off the books.
Indianapolis Colts News
Colts 2026 free agency live tracker: Following every addition and in-house departure during the make or break offseason
Tracking every move the Colts make during the NFL’s legal tampering period and free agency during the 2026 offseason.
